Chairman of the Neighbourhood Association

　This year, I became chairman of the Higashi-Imadegawa Neighbourhood Association, where our guesthouse is located.

　My involvement with this neighbourhood association began ten years ago. When I purchased the property to open the guesthouse, I received a letter from the chairman at the time asking me ‘please do not operate a private accommodation business’. At that time, Kyoto was in turmoil over the issue of private accommodation which called minpaku in Japanese, and for local residents, the prospect of a complete stranger opening a guesthouse was nothing but a source of anxiety.

　I went to explain the situation immediately, and we discussed how I would obtain a licence in accordance with the Hotel Business Act rather than operating as a private accommodation, as well as entering into an agreement with the neighbourhood association.

　It is particularly moving to realise that I have finally put down roots here and been accepted as a member of the community. I will continue to coexist with the local area and strive to create a guesthouse where visitors can travel as if they were living here.